Khirbat en-Nabi Bulus

Irina Zilberbod

12/12/2007

During August 2005 a trial excavation was conducted next to the site of Khirbat en-Nabi Bulus in Ramat Bet Shemesh (Permit No. A-4560*; map ref. NIG 198390/612478; OIG 148390/112478), following the construction of a new neighborhood. The excavation, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and financed by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, was directed by I. Zilberbod, assisted by I. Ohayon (administration).

The excavation area was near the sheikh’s tomb at Khirbat en-Nabi Bulus, c. 100 m south of an area that had been excavated in 1999 (HA-ESI 117). Ten squares (2.5 × 5.0 m) were excavated down to bedrock at a depth of 0.5–1.5 m. The soil fill contained some collapsed stones and numerous fragments of pottery vessels, including a lamp, whose date ranged from the Byzantine until the Ottoman periods. The potsherds and stones were apparently swept from the site, which is located on the adjacent hill.